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Feb. 26, 1929. 1,703,827 J. G. H. LIEBEL ET L ELECTROPE Filed Aug. 22, 192 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 26, 1929.

- UNITED STATES 1,703,827 PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN G. H, LIEBEL, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, AND THOMAS H. CHERRY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS TO THE LIEBEL-FLARSHEIM COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO,

A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

ELECTRODE.

Application filed August 22, 1927. Serial No. 214,526.

This invention relates to electrodes for the therapeutic application of diathermy (high frequency) currents. These electrodes form two general classes, those intended for surface application, as for instance to the ablO111GD,'Cll6Sb, foot, etc, and those intended ior orilicial applications, such as vaginal,

prostatic, rectal, etc. This disclosure is made particularly with reference to oriiicial electrodes, since the problems sought to be solved by this invention are more acute in orificial applications of the diathermy currents.

It is extremely important in many applications to be able to control very accurately the temperature of the tissues being treated.

Too low a temperature fails in therapeutic results and too high a temperature, by a mat- .ter or" only a few degrees, can and often does prove injurious. For instance in treating mucous membrane that has been intected by .gonococci, it is desirable to elevate the temperature of the tissues to an amount higher than the lethaltemperature of the bacteria, but still to maintain it below that at which tissue injury takes place. For example at around 103 to 104; F. the gonococcusdies after an hour or more. At 115 F. this particular type of organism is destroyed in from to minutes. At 122 F. the destruction is still more rapid and it is this temperature that is ordinarily use as the highest temperature within tissue tolerance. At 130 F. definite tissue destruction begins to take place and the application becomes quite uncomfortable and painful to the patient. it will be seen tlicreiore that uruic control. of the temperature ottlie tissues inin'iediately surrounding the active electrode becomes of extreme importance it therapeutic results are to be obtained and injury to the patient avoided.

The ob ect or this invention is to provide an electrode for therapeutic application of electrical current, adapted to carry a thorniometer which contacts the tissues about the electrode.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sanitary, easily stcrilizable thermometer carrying electrode of the class described. Other objects and certain advantages will be apparent from the description of the accompanying daawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a prostatic electrode.

sectional View on line 2 2 sectional View on line 33 side elevation of a vaginal sectionalview on line 5 sectional view on line 66 nsertion of a thermometer Qtherethrougli.

To the end of this shank piece is secured a hollow or shell like electrode tip 3 which is provided with a depression a aligned with the thern'iometer passageway in the shank piece to receive the thermometer bul 5 and expose the same. The depression is there- TOI'G of approximately the depth of the bulb. The tip is preferably of material pos essed of low thermal inertia which coupled with the shell like structure avoids any lag in ther nioineter registry. which might be due to heat absorption by the tip.

A metallic stem 6 threaded at both ends, extends through this shank piece and secures the tip to'the shank piece. At the other end of the shank piece is a terminal collar 7 to which is secured the current supply wire by Illtltlls Gi it Sell screw In the prostatic electrode disclosed in Figl, the stem is hollow and the thermometer therotlirougli introduced. ln the vaginal electro c. dis'losed in Figures 1:. 6, the shank piece is ugertured centrally for the stem and near the edge for the thermometer passagewa Preferably the shank her or other insulating material so that the tip alone constitutes the active electrode.

It is obvious that any temperaturemeasuring means, such as a therinocouple, may be used as well. as the usual. mercury thermometer.

While the disclosure has been made in relation to orificial electrodes it is to be noted that the same principles of structure are appiece is of hard rubthermometer therethrough, and a hollow eleetroclfe tii'pseeu'l ecl to said shank piece, said tip adapted to expose the thermometer bulb.

2. An orificial electrode for the therapeutic e pplieatien 0i 'elecci ie eu-rre'nis, eeinpris'ing halhk pieee (if insulating material, a 1:101-

leW metallieeleetrocle tip having a depression therein adapted to expose a the-mom 'eter bulb, a metalllc stein extending through said shank piece securing said shink piece and tip togethe and a passage way extending through said shank piece, seinl passage way aligned and connect-eel with the depressien in said tip to permit the insertion of a thermometer;

In Witness Wliereef, We hereunto subscribe our names.

JOHN G. H. LIEBEL. THOMAS H. CHERRY. 

